Multidimensional ultrasonic visualization in cardiology

Multidimensional echocardiography includes three-dimensional (3-D) and four-dimensional (4-D) imaging of cardiovascular structures. Compound scanning (in vitro) and three scan techniques for transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) imaging (in vivo) are used for acquisition of 3-D images of the heart and great vessels. A computer algorithm for 3-D reconstruction of ultrasound images reduces operator interaction to the selection of regions of interest and appropriate border threshold values. Data are processed by automatic reregistration, speckle reduction, and contrast enhancement routines to facilitate determination of a threshold value. Mathematical morphologic filtering is used to minimize noise and small artifacts along the edges of the object. In vitro experiments show excellent accuracy of volume measurements in reconstructed objects. Visual comparison of a reconstructed and electronically sectioned heart with the similarly cut anatomic specimen demonstrates high fidelity in depiction of anatomic structures